Educational Science

Smartphone-Connected Contact Lenses Give New Meaning to 'Eye Phone'

Apps allow you to link your smartphone to anything from your shoes, to your jewelry, to your doorbell — and soon, you may be able to add your contact lenses to that list. Engineers at the University of Washington have developed an innovative way of communicating that would allow medical...

Ta-Da: Magician's Trick Brings 3D Images to Your Phone

Even your smartphone can make 3D images, without adding expensive laser holography systems — at least if an Arizona inventor has his way. Hologram Pyramid was dreamed up by Jim Smith, a Phoenix resident and engineer who has worked in industrial and product design for the past 15 years. It's...

A new, screenless phone for young kids could help parents stay in touch with their children, without the adults having to worry that their kids are glued to smartphones. The new device, called Snowfox, also comes equipped with a GPS tracker, letting parents know where their kids are, while helping...

Genius Bot: Chat with 'Einstein' Via Facebook Messenger

On April 25, National Geographic Channel will launch its first scripted television show, Genius, about the life of Albert Einstein. But before that happens, the channel is also planning for the famed scientist to make an appearance — of sorts — just in time for the March for Science this...

What Brexit Vote Means for Science (in 140 Characters)

The United Kingdom's vote to leave the European Union has left scientists and researchers questioning the future of their work, funding, collaborations and more. In a historic vote this week, 52 percent of participants in the U.K. voted in favor of the Brexit, as the referendum by British voters to...

Apple vs. FBI: What's Really Going On?

Apple is embroiled in a battle with the FBI over an iPhone that was used by one of the shooters involved in the December attack that killed 14 and wounded 22 in San Bernardino, California. The two sides are involved in an ongoing court case over Apple's refusal to comply...

Spray-On Touch Screens? How to Turn Any Flat Surface into a Touchpad

The technique, dubbed Electrick by its inventors from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, relies on electrodes attached to an object made of or coated with any slightly conductive material. While not as precise as smartphone touch-screen technology, the resulting touchpads are still accurate enough to allow basic control functions, such...

No More Glare: 'Moth Eye' Smartphone Coating Doesn't Reflect Sunlight

Unusual structures on moth eyes that help the insects see at night have inspired a new anti-reflection film for electronic devices. The new technology could help users see their screens even in bright daylight. The film significantly reduces glare as well as the need to duck into the shade to...

Smartphones Could Generate Own Power with New Coating

A transparent material that can be attached to a smartphone's touch screen could help the device generate electricity whenever anyone taps it, researchers in China say. Touch screens are now found on most cell phones and tablet computers. Using a touch screen typically involves finger taps, and scientists at Lanzhou...